6/6/11

Saints and Poets

I'm reading a book on memory - it's a memoir by Jill Price, documenting her extraordinary memory as it compares to what you and I typically remember.

It's fascinating.
And it perplexes me.

Because the more I read, the more I realize how much of my life I am in the process of forgetting - both the good and the bad that are unconsciously swept away by my human limits. I envy Jill Price, harsh words and painful past included, because she can claim what most cannot - the ability to hold on where the rest of the world is continuously letting go.

And, at the same time, I can sympathize with her frustrations. Looking too far into the past develops an inability to move forward, just as looking too far into the future prevents you from fully appreciating the present. It's something that I'm consistently working on - staying engaged, and passion-filled, and fully existing in this moment.

But I don't think I'll ever be at a point when I can appreciate each instant the way that it was created to be appreciated.

So I'll settle for the celebrations - reminders that life is full of love and joy and people who matter. I'll settle for photos and blogging and love letters and choking sobs and uncontrollable laughter and my husband's cold feet against my leg in the morning and all other things documenting and signifying that I am alive, and that this life? It's good.

This weekend was full of those reminders.

(Melissa, me, Heather)

(Brian, Heather, Melissa, me)

(sister wears oversized clothing. kind of a lot.)

(sister Jillian and brother-in-law Aaron)

(me, Pastor Brad, sister Christy)

(me, Rebekah)

(Sisters. Jillian, me, Christy)

(with paternal grandparents, with maternal grandparents)

I frequently bring up this quote from Thornton Wilder's most famous play, "Our Town", because I think it's incredibly perceptive and worth noting...

"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?"
"No. The saints and poets, maybe."

I'm certainly not a saint and I'm hardly a poet, but I am a blogger. And sometimes that's enough.

Great post. I guess it's all about finding the balance between drawing from the past, living now and dreaming of the future. It's a journey and something I definitely always have to work on.Your pictures look like a lot of summer fun!

That book sounds so interesting! I'll have to add it to my list. Thanks for the comment over in my little corner of the interwebs. I'm going to reply over there, because everyone would be wondering what I was talking about over here... Awkward! haha ;)